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Our region is home to a half million residents and covers 4,400 square miles in Eastern Iowa, including the six counties of Benton, Iowa, Johnson, Jones, Linn and Washington.
The region is linked by primary arteries to the nearby (less than 300 miles) metros of Chicago, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Omaha, and St. Louis. Access to markets is provided by the highway system and an extensive system of secondary roads, as well as by six freight rail carriers, one commercial airport, and eight additional airports with varied federal classifications. The region is characterized by two urban areas with numerous small towns and rural countryside. In addition to the seven counties, the region includes 72 municipalities and 30 public school districts. The region’s largest municipalities are Cedar Rapids and Iowa City, located in central Linn County and Johnson County, respectively. |
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Population
According to the 2010 Census, the total population in the ECICOG region was 445,380. Nearly half (47%) of the region’s total population resides in Linn County, and slightly less than one third (29%) of the region’s population is located in Johnson County. The remaining five rural counties are each home to between 4% and 6% of the population. Unlike many other areas in Iowa, ECICOG's region is growing as its population diversifies. Population projections suggest continued growth throughout the region. |
Age
The age distribution shows that roughly half of residents are younger than age 35 and half are age 35 and older. However, a closer look at age-related growth trends shows that the percentage of prime working age residents is growing at a slower rate than the percentage of those over the age of 65, which is comparable to the State of Iowa as a whole. Diversity Our region is slowly becoming more diverse; however, it remains predominantly White, non-Hispanic. |
Household Income
The median household income in all counties in ICR Iowa is greater than that of the State of Iowa. The median household income for Johnson County is one of the lowest in the region, but is likely impacted by the significant University of Iowa student population. The region has relatively low poverty rates. The notable aberration is Johnson County, where 17.9 percent of the population falls below the poverty level. This figure is again, however, impacted by the university student population in Johnson County.
The median household income in all counties in ICR Iowa is greater than that of the State of Iowa. The median household income for Johnson County is one of the lowest in the region, but is likely impacted by the significant University of Iowa student population. The region has relatively low poverty rates. The notable aberration is Johnson County, where 17.9 percent of the population falls below the poverty level. This figure is again, however, impacted by the university student population in Johnson County.
Employment
The region is home to a variety of industries and employers. The 15 largest employers in the region are primarily located in Linn and Johnson Counties, drawing their workforce from all of the surrounding counties. Commuter travel patterns in the region vary by county and are affected primarily by employment opportunities.
The region is home to a variety of industries and employers. The 15 largest employers in the region are primarily located in Linn and Johnson Counties, drawing their workforce from all of the surrounding counties. Commuter travel patterns in the region vary by county and are affected primarily by employment opportunities.
Housing
Total housing units in the region is 200,489. The percentage of units that were renter-occupied was 28.9 percent, which is only slightly higher than that for the state. The vacancy rate for the region is 6.0%, while the state’s was 8.6%. The age of housing stock can be an indication of condition of housing, if effort hasn’t been made to make improvements to older homes. Age also indicates how much new construction is being done, which indicates growth. Nearly two percent of occupied housing stock has been built after 2004. This is slightly higher than that of the state; however, the proportion of newer units built varies greatly among counties in the region. Less than one percent of housing units in Benton and Iowa Counties were newer units and 2.5% of Johnson County’s units were built after 2004. The median value of owner-occupied housing was slightly higher for the region, at $137,100, than that for the entire state, at $127,300. The values of the units are likely reflective of both the condition of housing and the vacancy rates.
Total housing units in the region is 200,489. The percentage of units that were renter-occupied was 28.9 percent, which is only slightly higher than that for the state. The vacancy rate for the region is 6.0%, while the state’s was 8.6%. The age of housing stock can be an indication of condition of housing, if effort hasn’t been made to make improvements to older homes. Age also indicates how much new construction is being done, which indicates growth. Nearly two percent of occupied housing stock has been built after 2004. This is slightly higher than that of the state; however, the proportion of newer units built varies greatly among counties in the region. Less than one percent of housing units in Benton and Iowa Counties were newer units and 2.5% of Johnson County’s units were built after 2004. The median value of owner-occupied housing was slightly higher for the region, at $137,100, than that for the entire state, at $127,300. The values of the units are likely reflective of both the condition of housing and the vacancy rates.
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Land Use
Land use regulations vary substantially across the region. In general, the largest jurisdictions within the region have the most specific land use regulations. In Iowa, a jurisdiction must first have a land use plan in order to implement zoning. The level of detail on land use plans varies substantially, with some counties having only a map (Jones), while other counties have designated land use planning districts (Linn and Johnson). Still others have plans but no map (Benton). Within the six-county ECICOG region, Linn County and Johnson County have long standing zoning ordinances and detailed land use plans that provide targeted areas of residential growth for their respective metro areas as well as farmland protection and natural resources conservation. Washington County and Jones County developed zoning ordinances that primarily address farmland conservation; however, Washington County’s was rescinded in 2010. Benton and Iowa Counties do not have zoning. Regulations regarding land use are often related to the natural features of the jurisdiction in question. Some areas within the region tend to be flat with high corn suitability ratings (CSR), leading toward regulations that heavily favor protection of agricultural land, such as in Benton County. Other areas have woodlands and floodplain protected by planning designations and zoning. |
Environment
The region is typically characterized by generally rolling land, with some rolling hills and river valleys. The original vegetation consisted of a mixture of forests and prairies. One of the region’s most valuable resources is its prime farmland. The region contains a limited number of nonrenewable natural resources upon which to base the economy, including clay, coal, gypsum, sand, gravel, and limestone. The region’s continental climate is characteristic of definite warm and cold periods separated by springs and falls of great temperature fluctuations. The climate is not overly restrictive to urban or rural development, but can pose seasonal concerns for structures that use large amounts of energy for heating/cooling. The frost-free growing period is approximately 145 days in length, which provide an excellent host for growing beans, corn, and other plants. Water
Water quality is a serious physical constraint to development within the region. Groundwater is readily available, but is either shallow (100-400 feet), or very deep (over 2,000 feet). Shallow wells are susceptible to surface pollution from fertilizers, manure, and pesticides. Much of the water supply contains large quantities of calcium carbonate, iron compounds, manganese, salts, etc. In recent years, the region has taken crucial steps to protecting water quality. |
Our Regional Vision
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ECICOG, partnering with other regional organizations, completed a Regional Vision Strategy which also serves as the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) for the Economic Development District (EDD).
The EDD encompases 7 counties: Benton, Cedar, Iowa, Linn, Johnson, Jones, and Washington Counties. 
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